Republic’s young volleyball team pushed another conference opponent to the limit before falling in five sets to Carthage Thursday, 15-25, 25-13, 25-16, 27-29, 15-9.
“(It was) another amazing game,” said coach Allison Davis. “We started strong this time.”
In Republic’s previous two matches, the Lady Tigers let their opponent jump ahead early. But Republic won handily in the first set Thursday before Carthage evened the score, then went ahead two sets to one. During the second and third sets, Carthage outscored Republic 50-29.
Republic stayed in the match with a thriller in the fourth, winning 29-27 to force the decisive fifth, which Carthage won 15-9.
Kailey Manes had another big match, leading the team in kills (12), blocks (3), and digs (17, tied with Mykenzie Hicks). Payge Plank had two service aces and 42 assists.
Republic falls to 4-7-2 overall, and 1-3 in a very touch Central Ozark Conference.
“I am still so proud of my team,” said Davis. “We will get there.”